Mario Tricoci shares business tips at College of DuPage

In the world of business, salon owner and entrepreneur Mario Tricoci says, it almost always pays to make your own breaks.

“The opportunity you get is the opportunity you make,” Tricoci said Tuesday during an appearance at the College of DuPage, where he discussed his career in the beauty industry and the challenges he overcame to build his brand and reputation.

Tricoci said he urges his employees to make each guest (he never calls them “customers”) feel special and to ensure a visit to one of his salons is a relaxing and memorable experience.

“Today I want to be today’s day maker,” he said. “We really, truly make the day for our guests.”

Tricoci said he started his business in Villa Park, but his real break came when he opened a location in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.

He told budding entrepreneurs it’s crucial they know what they don’t know.

“If we don’t know something, we should know we don’t know ... let’s not fake it,” he said. “Then learn to do it the proper way.”

Tricoci’s appearance was sponsored by COD’s Business & Technology Division, Center for Entrepreneurship and Continuing Education and Business Solutions.